Three Indian Seafarers Killed in US Naval Strikes, Dozens Rescued, Yet No Word from PM

In the span of four days, the United States Navy attacked three merchant vessels carrying Indian crew members in international waters off the coast of Oman, killing three Indian sailors and endangering dozens more. As of Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not issued a public statement, tweet, or word of condolence.

On June 8, US forces disabled the Palau flagged oil tanker MT Marivex , which had 24 Indian seafarers on board. All were safely rescued. Two days later, on June 10, the US struck another Palau flagged tanker, MT Settebello , killing three of the 24 Indian sailors on board. The deceased have been identified as deck cadet Aditya Sharma , engine fitter Shivanand Chaurasiya , and Chief Engineer Patnala Suresh . On June 11, a third vessel, MT Jalveer , a Guinea Bissau flagged tanker carrying 20 Indian nationals , was attacked when a US combat aircraft fired two Hellfire missiles into its engine room. All 20 crew members survived. These are the only instances in independent India’s history where the US military has killed Indian nationals .

India’s Ministry of External Affairs publicly acknowledged that the strikes on MT Settebello, MT Marivex, and MT Jalveer came from the US Navy and asserted that such attacks must stop. US Chargé d’Affaires Jason Meeks was summoned to the MEA twice, once on Wednesday night and again on Friday, and conveyed India’s strong protest. The Seamen Welfare Fund Society was directed to pay ₹10 lakh to the family of each deceased sailor. MEA Secretary (West) Sibi George indicated that the situation in West Asia and shipping restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz may feature in PM Modi’s bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the G7 summit in France next week.

The diplomatic response has drawn criticism for what observers describe as a muted and bureaucratic tone . The Modi government has been seen as indirectly justifying the US action by repeatedly noting that two of the vessels were sanctioned ships and one non compliant , a framing critics say shifts focus away from the deaths of Indian nationals toward Washington’s legal justification. There has been no statement of regret from the US military or the Trump administration over the killings.

Not a word of condemnation has been expressed by the External Affairs Minister , the Shipping Minister , or the Defence Minister . No condolence has come from Prime Minister Narendra Modi . Strategic affairs analyst Brahma Chellaney said he found no expression of sympathy from the Prime Minister on social media, noting instead posts focused on world leaders congratulating him on becoming India’s longest serving Prime Minister .

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed grief over the death of Visakhapatnam-based chief engineer Patnaala Suresh , killed in the Oman coast missile strike, and assured full support to his family. He directed officials to coordinate with the Centre, Omani authorities and the Indian Embassy to speed up repatriation and said the state government would stand by the family throughout the process.

Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi strongly criticised the government, saying that three Indians were killed in US attacks within three days and questioning the Prime Minister’s silence. The Congress party also condemned the US strikes as reckless military actions and urged the government to take diplomatic steps to ensure accountability. It further alleged that Modi’s personal rapport with President Donald Trump has failed to protect Indian lives.

More than 18,000 Indian seafarers are currently operating in the Gulf region, including 562 crew members aboard 13 Indian flagged ships . They sail through one of the world’s most volatile maritime corridors, now made more dangerous by active US military strikes on commercial vessels. Analysts warn that further incidents involving Indian casualties could intensify political pressure on the government.

Three families are still waiting for the mortal remains of their loved ones to return home. The Prime Minister has not yet made any public statement.